Continuous muller



Aug; 2, 1966 c. E. SIMMONS CONTINUOUS MULLER Filed July so, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTO CECIL ESIMMON BY Aug. 2, 1966 c. E. SIMMONS CONTINUOUS MULLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 30, 1964 INVENTOR;

CECIL E5IMMONS,

United States Patent 3,263,967 CONTINUOUS MULLER Cecil E. Simmons, Durham County, Ontario, Canada, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Jeffrey Galion Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Ghio Filed July 30, 1964, Ser. No. 386,124

14 Claims. (Cl. 259-9) The instant invention relates to the mulling of materials, for example as is practiced in foundry operations in respect to the preparation of sand for making molds, and more particularly, to improvements in a continuous mulling appanatus.

This invention has application to the treatment of materials by mulling, for example, the mulling of sand in a foundry to place the same in suitable condition for use in making molds in metal casting operations. The mulling of the sand may involve new sand which has not previously been used in making molds, recirculated sand which has been used in molds and is circulated in the foundry system for reuse, or a combination of the two. In any of these case it is required that the sand be mulled, which involves adding to the sand and combining therewith certain ingredients, particularly water and bonding agents. In the mulling operation, it is desired that these ingredients be uniformly combined with the mass of sand, and in an ideal operation each grain of sand is completely and uniformly coated with the added ingredients, whereby the mass of sand discharged from the mulling operation has the necessary bonding characteristics, such that it may be formed into molds into which hot molten metal may be poured.

The mulling of the sand is essentially a pressing, kneading and mixing operation in which the sand and the added ingredients are constantly being pressed, kneaded and mixed until the added ingredients are uniformly dispersed in the mass of sand, and the grains of sand are each coated With the bonding materials. In mulling operations, in which recirculated sand is being operated upon, such sand is usually very hot as the result of being in contact with hot molten metal, and is far hotter than is desired for the mulling operation or for the formation of molds. In such case it is necessary that the sand be cooled, and this may be accomplished during the mulling openation by circulating air through the sand, in addition to the tempering water that is added. Also, in connection with the preparation of the sand for the making of molds, it is desired that the sand be aerated, which consist essentially of breaking up any lumps in the sand and placing the mass of sand in a loose, uniform condition, in which it may be readily and uniformly packed around a pattern in the process of making a mold with such sand.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide an improved continuous apparatus for the preparation of material by mulling, for example, sand to be used in the making of molds.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide an improved apparatus for the mulling of material, which is continuous in its operation and through which the material continuously flows, and in which the material is deflected to augment the mulling action.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide an improved apparatus for the mulling of materials,

ice

in which the material continuously flows through the apparatus and is dispersed therein for mulling, with the dispersion of the material being accompanied by a deflection of the same to augment the mulling action.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, elevational view, partially in section, of a continuous muller constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the continuous muller, taken on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the continuous muller, taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

The continuous muller 10, constructed in accordance with the instant invention, comprises a cylindrical, drumlike receptacle 11 placed on a substantially horizontal axis, whereby the cylindrical receptacle 11 is disposed in a lateral position extending along its axis. The receptacle 11 is supported on feet 12, 13 that are placed at the opposite ends of the receptacle 11 for supporting the continuous muller 10 and securing the same to a supporting base.

The receptacle 11 includes -a cylindrical shell 14. The feed or upstream end of the cylindrical shell 14 is closed by an end wall 15, and the discharge or downstream end of the cylindrical shell 14 is closed by a similar end wall 16. The cylindrical shell 14 and the end walls 15, 16 are preferably formed of steel plate or the like, with the end walls 15, 16 being secured to the cylindrical shell 14, as by Welding, whereby the receptacle 11 is a rigid structural sub-assembly of the continuous muller 10.

The receptacle 11 is provided with an opening that extends the full length thereof and is largely disposed in an upper quadrant of the cylindrical shell 14, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The opening is closed by a cover 17 which forms a continuation of the cylindrical shell 14, and in effect, completes the cylindrical shell 14 when the cover 17 is in its closed position, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cover 17 is connected to the receptacle 11 at each end thereof by a hinge 18 on a longitudinally extending axis, whereby the cover 17 may be readily raised to its open position, as seen in FIG. 1. At the lower edge of the receptacle opening there is a longitudinally extending locking bar 19 which projects outwardly from the cylindrical shell 14. The lower edge of the cover 17 has a like longitudinally extending locking 'bar 20, which is secured thereto and is disposed to be in parallel position to the locking bar 19 when the cover 17 is in its closed position. The cover 17 is locked by a plurality of bolts 21 which extend through the locking bars 19, 20 to secure the latter to each other. When it is desired to raise the cover 17 the several bolts 21 are released in the usual manner, thereby permitting the cover 17 to be raised by swinging it about the axis of the hinges 18, 18.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is a shaft 25 that extends through the receptacle 11 with its axis coincident with the axis of the cylindrical shell 14. The opposite ends of the shaft 25 are rotatably supported on the end walls 15, 16 by suitable bearings 26, 27, respectively, which are secured to the end walls 15, 16 at the outer side thereof. The end wall 15 has a feed opening 28 for sand, which is disposed at one side of the shaft 25, and at the opposite side thereof there is another similar opening 29 for the supply or exhaust of a current of air that may flow through the muller receptacle 11. A feed chute 30 is secured to the end wall and terminates at its lower end in an opening that is aligned with and connect to the feed opening 28 for the discharge of sand into the muller receptacle 11. An air duct 31 connects to the opening 29 for the flow of air through the continuous muller 10, which may be concurrent with the direction of feed of sand through the muller 10, or countercurrent thereto.

The sand is received in the muller receptacle 11 a t the feed or upstream end and then flows in a downstream direction through the receptacle 11 to the downstream or discharge end thereof, at which there is a discharge section 32, from which the sand discharges through the discharge chute 33. As the sand flows through the receptacle 11, it is successively mulled by a plurality of successive mulling assemblies 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 35e, 351, 35g, 35h, all of which have some common elements, and are similar, and some of which are identical, as will be described in detail hereinafter.

The several mulling assemblies 35a-h are secured to the shaft to be moved thereby about the axis of the shaft 25. The mulling assemblies a-h are disposed at equally spaced positions along the shaft 25 between the feed or upstream end of the muller receptacle 11 and the discharge section 32. Thus, as the sand flows through the muller receptacle 11 from the feed or upstream end thereof towards the discharge section 32 at the discharge or downstream end of the muller receptacle 11, the mulling assemblies 35a-h successively operate on and mull the sand. The successive positions of the several mulling assemblies 35a-h along the shaft 25 are apparent in FIG. 1, and are further indicated by the letters a-h at the bottom of FIG. 1, identifying and locating the several successive mulling positions along the length of the muller receptacle 11.

For each mulling assembly 35a-h there is secured to the shaft 25 a partial hub 36, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hub 36, as illustrated herein, extends through an angle somewhat greater than 180, sufiicient to receive three bolts at positions spaced approximately 90 relatively to each other. Each partial hub 36 is firmly secured to the shaft 25, as by welding, for mounting a mulling assembly 35.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated therein the mulling assembly 35a, which is constructed on a frame 37. The frame 37 extends partially around the shaft 25 and is disposed adjacent to the partial hub 36. A plurality of bolts 38, or like securing means, extend through the frame 37 and the partial hub 36 and secure the frame 37 to the partial hub 36 and thus to the shaft 25. The frame 37 has a first mounting arm 39 and a second mounting arm 40, which extend substantially in opposite directions from the shaft 25 and the partial hub 36. The outer end of the first mounting arm 39 is formed with an integral sleeve 41, as best seen in FIG. 1. A supporting arm 42 is secured to the first mounting arm on a pivot shaft 43, which is received within the sleeve 41 and is pivotally secured therein, whereby the supporting arm 42 may swing relatively to the first mounting arm 39 about the axis of the pivot shaft 43.

A mulling wheel 44 is rotatably mounted at the outer end of the supporting arm 42 on an axle 45 that extends laterally from the supporting arm 42. The mulling wheel 44 has a tire 46 formed of rubber, or like yieldable material. The rubber tire 46 may be bonded to a metal band 47, and the tire 46 is then secured to the hub 48 by press fitting the metal band 47 on the hub 48. Suitable bearing means is preferably interposed between the hub 48 and the axle 45, whereby the mulling wheel 44 is freely rotatable on the axle 45 at the outer end of the supporting arm 42.

A plow 50 is secured to the outer end of the second mounting arm 40. The plow 50 has a mounting arm 51 that is placed against the end of the second mounting arm 40 and is secured thereto by a plurality of bolts 52. A foot 53 is disposed at the end of the plow mounting arm 51, and extends laterally to the opposite sides of the mounting arm 51 in substantial parallelism to the axis of the shaft 25. The foot 53 has a flat surface facing inwardly of the receptacle shell 14, which is inclined with respect to a tangent to the cylindrical shell 14. A plow blade 54 is releasably secured to the foot 53 by a pair of bolts 55 disposed one at each side of the mounting arm 51 and extending through apertures in the foot 53. The leading edge of the plow blade 54 is disposed closely adjacent to the mulling surface of the cylindrical receptacle shell 14, and extends therefrom at the same angle of inclination as the foot 53.

The inner cylindrical surface of the receptacle 11 provides a mulling surface on which the sand is mulled as it flows through the receptacle 11 in a longitudinal direction. In order to form a suitable mulling surface on the receptacle shell 14, there is provided a liner 56 formed of rubber or like yieldable material. The liner 56 is preferably formed in several circumferential sections, one or more of which are disposed in the fixed part of the cylindrical shell 14, and another of which is secured to the cover 17. With the cover 17 in closed position, the liner 56 is continuous around the cylindrical shell 14, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The yieldable liner 56 may be bonded to a metal backing plate 57, by which it is secured to the cylindrical shell 14 with suitable retainer bands 58, 58 that are disposed one at each end of the liner 56, and placed against the metal backing plate 57, as best seen in FIG. 1.

The mulling is accomplished by the mulling wheel 44 acting on the sand that is disposed between the mulling wheel 44 and the liner 56. The sand is dispersed on the liner 56 about the axis of the shaft 25 by the plow 50. The mulling wheel 44 engages the sand that is so dispersed on the liner 56, and there is a pressing, kneading and mixing action of the mulling wheel 44 on the sand to accomplish the mulling thereof. Sand is highly abrasive with respect to the elements of the mulling apparatus, and particularly so with respect to the elements which are operative to work the sand. Thus, each mulling wheel 44 is provided with the tire 46, made of yieldable material, and likewise, the liner 56 is formed of yieldable material, which are more resistant to the wearing, abrasive action of sand than would be the case with non-yieldable materials, for example, metal.

The mulling assembly 35a further includes an accelerating plow 60 which comprises a bar 61 that is secured to the first mounting arm 39 and extends outwardly therefrom. A plow blade 62 is releasably secured to the bar 61, as by several bolts 63, which may be releasable for the purpose of replacing the intake accelerating plow blade 62 if it should experience excessive wear. The

plow blade 62 is disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft 25 and is in front of the mulling wheel 44 to lead the latter in the direction of movement thereof around the axis of the shaft 25, this being in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2. The intake accelerating plow 60 meets the sand as it initially flows into the receptacle 11 and gives such sand an initial acceleration or movement, and in effect, disperses the sand to prevent it from piling up excessively in front of the mulling wheel 44 of the first mulling assembly 35a. By reason of the gap between the plow blade 62 and the liner 56, a substantial amount of sand remains ahead of the mulling wheel 44 to be acted upon thereby.

The several mulling assemblies 35bh are similar in construct-ion to the mulling assembly 3511, but none of these includes the intake accelerating .plow 60, which is used only at the feed or upstream end of the receptacle 11. The like parts of the several mulling assemblies 35a-h are indicated by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Each of the several mulling assemblies 351, 35g, 35h, which are disposed nearest the discharge section 32 at the downstream end of the receptacle -11, additionally includes a bafile 65. The baffle 65 is secured to the foot 53 of the plow 50', as by welding. 'I he baffle 65 is disposed adjacent to the plow 50 .at the downstream end thereof. The bafile 65 preferably is formed as .a planar element that is disposed laterally with respect to the axis of the shaft 25, and stands substantially perpendicular with respect to the plow foot 53. The bafiie 65 extends rearwardly behind the plow 50 with respect to the direction of movement thereof around the axis of the shaft 25. As the plow 50 moves .around the axis of the shaft 25, it scrapes the sand from the mulling surface of the liner 56 and disperses the sand in the receptacle 11. The battle 65 deflects the dispersion of the sand, and directs the sand into the path of the next or successive mulling wheel 44. By deflecting the dispersion of the sand to the successive mulling wheel 44, the mulling action is augmented, and the quality of the mulled sand is improved.

As illustrated and described herein, each of the last three mulling assemblies 351, 35g, 35h includes the bafile 65. However, it will be understood that a greater or lesser number of the mull-ing assemblies 35ah may include the baffle 65, as determined by experience in operating the continuous muller in a particular installation. Further, the baffle 65 may have other configurations that are the equivalent of that illustrated herein, again as determined by experience in the operation of the continuous muller 10 in 'a particular installation.

The operation of the continuous muller 10 will now be described. The sand flows into the receptacle 11 from the feed chute 30 and through the feed opening 28 at the feed or upstream end thereof. As the sand enters the receptacle 11 it is [met by the intake accelerating plow 60, which starts the sand in movement around the axis of the shaft 25, and prevents an excessive accumulation of sand in front of the mulling wheel 44 of the mulling assembly 35a. The intake accelerating plow 60 impels the sand in a lateral direction with respect to the axis of the shaft 25. However, the sand also has a tendency to fan out upstream and downstream from the opposite side edges of the plow 60. On the upstream side the sand is blocked by the end wall 15. Accordingly, the movement of the sand impelled by the aocelerationg plow 60 is in a lateral direction with respect to the axis of the shaft 25, and in a downstream direction. I wheel 44 of the mulling assembly 35a follows closely behind the intake accelerating plow 60, the mulling assembly 350 being moved in a clockwise direction by the shaft 25 about the axis of the latter, as viewed in FIG. 2

The shaft 25 is rotated at a relatively high rate of speed suflicient to cause the mulling wheel 44 to be moved outwardly towards the mulling surface of the liner 56 by centrifugal-force. As the mulling wheel 44 moves around the axis of the shaft 215 and over the mulling surface of the liner 56 to press, knead and mix the sand, it also packs the sand against the mulling surface. Such packed sand is removed from the mulling surface of the liner 56 by the plow 50 that follows behind the mulling wheel 44 in the direction of movement of the mulling assembly 35a around the axis of the shaft 25. The plow blade 54 has its leading edge disposed closely adjacent to the mulling surface of the liner 56, with sufficient clearance being provided to prevent the plow blade '54 from damaging the liner 56. The plow blade 54 engages the sand that is packed on the mulling surface, to remove such sand therefrom by a scraping action. By reason of the speed of the plow 50 over the mulling surface of the liner 56 and the angle of the plow blade 54 with a tangent to the mulling surface, the engagement of the plow blade 54 with the sand causes the latter to .be impelled in a lateral direction with respect to the axis of the shaft 25 The mulling and about the axis of the shaft 25 over the mulling surface, whereby such sand is broken up and dispersed in the receptacle *11. The sand fans out in an upstream and downstream direction from the plow blade 54 as an incident to being impelled in a lateral direction. In order not to impede or interfere with the impulsion and dispersion of the sand by the plow blade 54, the plow 50 is spaced a sufiicient distance behind the mulling wheel 44, such that the sand effectively clears the mulling wheel 44 as it is impelled and dispersed by the plow 50.

It is a concomitant of the impelling action of the plow 50 on the sand that the sand is distributed around the circumference of the receptacle 1-1 and is substantially uniformly distributed over the mulling surface of the liner 56 throughout the circumference of the latter. Thus, the sand is mulled on the mulling surface of the liner 56, between it and the mulling wheels 44 throughout the circumference of the cylindrical mulling surface.

As the sand is impelled laterally with respect to the axis of the shaft 25, it fans out from the plow blade 54 in upstream and donwstream directions. However, the sand which fans out from the plow blade 54 in an upstream direction meets greater resistance to such movement than does the sand which fans out in a downstream direction, by reason of the fact that additional sand is continuously being delivered at the upstream end of the receptacle 11, while sand is continuously discharging from the discharge section 32 at the downstream end of the receptacle 11. Thu-s, there is a pressure head condition in the receptacle 11, whereby the sand flows in a stream through the receptacle '11 in a longitudinal direction from the feed or upstream end to the discharge or downstream end thereof. Thus, the sand flows longitudinally to the successive mulling positions a-h, to be successively mulled by the several mulling assemblies 35a-h. With respect to the several mulling assemblies '35 35g, 3512, the baflles 65 deflect the dispersion of the sand by the plows 50. By way of example, the bafile 65 of the mulling assembly 35f deflects the dispersed sand towards the successive mulling wheel 44 of the mulling assembly 35g. Such deflection of the sand into the path of the successive mulling wheel augments the mull-ing action of the mulling wheel 44 on the sand, and improves the quality of the mulled sandwhich is ultimately discharged from the continuous muller 10.

As clearly seen in FIG. 1, the mulling assemblies 35a-h are disposed at the successive positions a-h along the shaft 25, which positions are equally spaced. Thus, a given mass of sand is successively mulled by the mulling assemblies 35a-h as it moves longitudinally through the receptacle 11. The successive mulling assemblies 35ah have a particular angular disposition, one relatively to the other, which is that each mulling assembly 35 trails or is disposed behind the preceding mulling assembly 35 in the direction of rotation thereof about the axis of the shaft 25. In the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the angle between one mulling assembly 35 and a successive mulling assembly 35 is less than so that when viewed along the shaft 25 the successive mulling assemblies 35a-h have the appearance of being disposed along a helix. The relative angular position of one mulling assembly 35 with respect to a :preceding mulling assembly 35 is best illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the mulling assemblies 35g, 35h are illustrated.

,- As the mulling wheel 44 moves around the axis of the shaft 25, each mulling wheel 44 also rotates about its own axis. The mulling wheels 44 do not rotate on the mulling surface of the receptacle liner 56. Rather, the mulling wheels 44 engage the sand on the mulling surface of the liner 56 and rotate relatively to .the mulling surface. At all times, the mulling wheels 44 are thrust outwardly by the centrifugal force acting on the same, so that the mulling wheels 44 effectively press the sand between the peripheries of the mulling wheels 44 and the mulling surface of the receptacle liner 56. As the mulling wheels 44 thus work their way through the sand that is dispersed on the mulling surface, all the while rotating about their own axes, the mulling wheels 44 are effectively pressing, kneading and mixing the particles of the sand, whereby there is produced a complete, homogeneous combination of the sand with the bonding ingredients, in which the individual grains or particles of the sand are coated with the bonding ingredients.

The continuous muller, described herein, provides an improved apparatus for continuously mulling material, such as sand in a foundry operation. The continuous mulling apparatus of the invention includes baffles for deflecting the material as it is dispersed by the plows, the deflection of the material being to direct the material into the path of successive mulling wheels to augment the mulling action thereof. It is an inherent feature of the operation of the mulling apparatus disclosed herein that the material is very effectively aerated by reason of its dispersion in the apparatus, which causes the material to be broken up so that when ultimately discharged it is in a true granular form.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and applicant therefore wishes not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of the invention, what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for continuously mulling material comprising, a receptacle disposed on a laterally extending axis, said receptacle extending along said axis to define a path of flow for material through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction from one end of the receptacle to the other end of the receptacle, said receptacle comprising a wall having an inwardly facing mulling surface on which the material is to be mulled, said mulling surface being disposed about said axis, mulling means in said receptacle to mull the material between the mulling means and said mulling surface as the material flows through the receptacle, longitudinally extending plow means movable about the axis to engage the material as it flows through the receptacle and to disperse the material about the axis on the mulling surface, and deflector means disposed adjacent to said plow means to deflect the material as it is dispersed by the plow means.

2. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as recited in claim 1, in which said deflector means comprises a baffle secured to said plow means.

3. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as recited in claim 2, in which said baflie extends rearwardly of said plow means with respect to the direction of movement of the plow means about said axis.

4. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as recited in claim 1, in which said deflector means is disposed laterally with respect to said axis.

5. Apparatus for continuously m ulling material as recited in claim 1, in which said deflector means is dis- \posed at one side of said plow means which is nearest said other end of the receptacle.

6. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as re cited in claim 1, in which said deflector means comprises a planar bafile element that is disposed laterally with respect to said axis and said \plow means.

7. Apparatus for continuously mulling material comprising, a receptacle disposed on a laterally extending axis, said receptacle extending along said axis to define a path of flow for material through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction from one end :of the receptacle to the other end of the receptacle, said receptacle comprising a wall having an inwardly facing mulling surface on which the material is to be mulled, said mulling surface being disposed about said axis, mulling means in said receptacle disposed at successive positions along said axis to successively mull the material as it flows through the receptacle, said mulling means being movable about said axis to mull the material between the mulling means and the mulling surface, longitudinally extending plow means movable about said axis to engage the material as it flows through the receptacle and to disperse the material about the axis on the mulling surface, and baffle means disposed adjacent to said plow means to deflect the material that is dispersed by the plow means towards a mulling means that is disposed at a position that is downstream of said plow means.

8. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as recited in claim 7, in which said baflle means is disposed at the downstream side of said plow means.

9. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as recited in claim 7, in which said baflle means is disposed laterally with respect to said axis and extends behind said plow means with respect to the direction of movement of said plow means about said axis.

10. Apparatus for continuously mulling material comprising, a receptacle disposed on a laterally extending axis, said receptacle extending along said axis to define a path of How for material through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction from one end of the receptacle to the other end of the receptacle, said receptacle comprising a wall having an inwardly facing mulling surface on which the material is to be mulled, said mulling surface being disposed about said axis, mulling means in said receptacle disposed at successive positions along said axis to suecessively mull the material as it flows through the receptacle, said mulling means being movable about said axis to mull the material between the mulling means and the mulling surface, plows movable about said axis and disposed at successive positions along said axis that correspond to said positions of said mulling means, each plow including a planar blade with an edge thereof disposed adjacent the tmulling surface and extending from the mulling surface at an angle to engage the material as it flows through the receptacle and to disperse the material about the axis on the mulling surface, and a baflle for at least one of said plows to deflect the dispersed material towards a mulling means at a successive position along said axis.

11. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as recited in claim 10, in which said baffle is a planar element and is disposed laterally with respect to said one plow, and extends rearwardly behind said one plow with respect to the direction of movement thereof.

12. Apparatus for continuously mulling material as recited in claim 10, in which said plows are each disposed substantially parallel to said axis, said baffle comprising a planar element disposed substantially perpendicular to said one plow.

:13. Apparatus for continuously mulling material comprising, a receptacle disposed on a laterally extending axis, said receptacle extending along said axis to define a path of flow for material through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction from one end of the receptacle to the other end of the recetacle, said receptacle comprising a wall having an inwardly facing mulling surface on which the material is to be mulled, said mulling surface being disposed about said axis, mulling means in said receptacle disposed at successive positions along said axis to successively mull the material as it flows through the receptacle, said mulling means being movable about said axis to mull the material, between the mulling means and the mulling surface, plows disposed at successive positions along said axis that correspond to said positions of said mulling means and movable about said axis, each plow including a planar blade with an edge thereof disposed adjacent the mulling surface and extending from the mulling surface at an angle to engage the material as it flows through the receptacle and to disperse the material about the axis on the mulling surface, and a baffle for each of several of said plows that are near said other end UNITED References Cited by the Examiner STATES PATENTS Simpson 241- 119 Simpson 24198 Beardsley et a1. 241-156 Loedige et al. 259--109 Loedige et al. 259--9 References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS Simpson. Simpson. Beardsley et al.

FOREIGN PATENTS Canada. Germany. Germany. Germany. Great Britain.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, PrimaryExaminer. 

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY MULLING MATERIAL COMPRISING, A RECEPTACLE DISPOSED ON A LATERALLY EXTENDING AXIS, SAID RECEPTACLE EXTENDING ALONG SAID AXIS TO DEFINE A PATH OF FLOW FOR MATERIAL THROUGH THE RECEPTACLE IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION FROM ONE END OF THE RECEPTACLE TO THE OTHER END OF THE RECEPTACLE, SAID RECEPTACLE COMPRISING A WALL HAVING AN INWARDLY FACING MULLING SURFACE ON WHICH THE MATERIAL IS TO BE MULLED, SAID MULLING SURFACE BEING DISPOSED ABOUT SAID AXIS, MULLING MEANS IN SAID RECEPTACLE TO MULL THE MATERIAL BETWEEN THE MULLING MEANS AND SAID MULLING SURFACE AS THE MATERIAL FLOWS THROUGH THE RECEPTACLE, LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PLOW MEANS MOVABLE ABOUT THE AXIS TO ENGAGE THE MATERIAL AS IT FLOWS THROUGH THE RECEPTACLE AND TO DISPERSE THE MATERIAL ABOUT THE AXIS ON THE MULLING SURFACE, AND DEFLECTOR MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT TO SAID PLOW MEANS TO DEFLECT THE MATERIAL AS IT IS DISPERSED BY THE PLOW MEANS. 